Novel perfluoroolefin epoxide polyethers



United States Patent "ice 3,214,478

Patented Oct. 26, 1965 l 2 3 214 4 8 quantities of bromine. Tetrafluoroethylene epoxide can be polymerized to a polyether by the same methods em- NOVEL EPOXIDE played in the polymerization of hexafluoropropylene I L epoxide. Similar products i.e., dimers, trimers, oils and yii rfiht iigignigfirg i g iii fi s wi liii i gogj g l solids are obtained. The pblymer structure for the tetra a corporation of Delaware fluoroethylene epoxide polyether is 2 Chums (CL 260-615) where z+2 is the degree of polymerization. The present invention relates to novel perfiuoroolefin The novel polyethers of the present invention are obepoxide polyethers, and, more particularly, to dimers 0 tained by exposing the hexafluoropropylene epoxide polyof perfluoroolefin epoxide polyethers having improved ether to actinic radiation of the type usually designated as stability. ultraviolet light. The term ultraviolet light is com- The fluorocarbon polyethers prepared by the process monly understood to mean light of wave lengths less of the present'invention have general formula 4 than 4,000 A., the lower limit of wave length being dewhere nand m are positive integers including zero, n+m 2O termined in specific cases by the transmission characrepresenting the number of polyether groups having the teristics of the materials through which the light must structure CF(X)-CF O- in the molecule, and pass. The lower limit is usually in the range of 1,800to where X is either a fluorine or a perfiuoromethyl group. 2,000 A. Although light of any wave length between These fluorocarbon polyethers include the group where- 1,800 to 4,000 A. may be employed in the present invenin X is perfluoromethyl and n and m are from 2 -to 35. tion, wave lengths of 2,500 to 3,700 A. are preferred The novel perfluoroolefin epoxide polyethers of the pressince they are readily produced and provide sufficient ent invention are prepared by exposing the polyether obenergyto further expedite the desired reaction. Mercury tained by the polymerization of the perfluoroolefin arc lamps are convenient and commercially available epoxide to ultraviolet light. The reaction, as illustrated sources of such radiation. These may be of several with the lowest molecular weight hexafiuoropropylene types as is well known in the art and are advantageously epoxide polyether proceeds as follows: 1 fontained in a quartz or high transmission glass enveope.

(IJFa It is desirable that the light source be as close as possible to the reactants and this may be accomplished by F placing the lamp immediately adjacent to a transparent wall of the reaction vessel or in a suitable well projecting l 00F? CO into the reaction space. In the examples below, a low Hexafiuoropropylene epoxide polyethers are prepared g ffsg ggi gg gggi g f 'i fii fariip a 21 1 21 3: a a P py with alkaline hydrogen Peroxidfi; A tlbicial The temperatur e iir l gi es s i i r ef of the reaction mixture p g ft ip f g fieii gg gl s t a gligi gg e during conversion are-not critical variable and may vary cylinir 2 1122222 2311 1286 g- Of Ba- 12 X 20 Within wide ranges. Although the reactants may be in the gaseous state, it is preferred for reasons of higher activated carb n whlch f heel} (fined for P K at efiiciency and conservation of space to carry out the re- 400 C. 1n v The Y 1S cooled to hquld Intro action in the liquid phase. Higher boiling reactants may gen P and hexafiuompyopylefle be treated at room or elevated temperatures if desired. epoxide is charged into the cylinder. The reaction mm In general, temperatures f g C to 200 are ture is allowed to C 9 room temperature at Whlch employed. It is also possible to ensure liquid phase contemperature It malfltalllefil for PE Q Y three ditions by the application of pressures above atmospheric days. The reaction mixture is then distilled through a pressure. Reaction times will differ depending on the column. Various fIa 0f the P l/ havlng the polyether employed. The completion of the reaction or general formula the degree of completion is readily established by infra danalysis of carbonyl groups in the reaction mixture. je CFPCFP-CFl-OTCF(OFKFCFPOJ CMCFQCOF reaction times are selected accordingly. The presen of and difierin in the de ree o polymezrization diluents is not necessary to the reaction although diluents g D may be beneficially employed in certain cases, particularobtalfled' Uslng t described procedu. the conver ly when high molecular weight polyethers are used as sion to d mer (1: 111 a P example 15 09 starting materials. Suitable diluents include in particular gs g 'ai i fi z g i i g fg g g g perfluorinated saturated fluorocarbons, such as perfiuoroh t and the p y boiling above 2850 C. at 0.12 ep ane perfiuorocyclohexane, perfluorodimethylcyclo butane and perfiuorokerosenes. Hg Pressure (2 35) about ApPr.OXm.1ate1y The invention is further illustrated by the following 25% of unreacted hexafluoropropylene epoxide is recovered. The dimer and trimer are light solvents, polyexamples" Example I mers having a degree of polymerization of z:2 to 35 may be classified as oils and polymers having a degree of Into a quartz tube of 1 mm. thickness and 10 mm. di-

polymerization of 35 as non-pourable oils, greases and ameter was placed under nitrogen atmosphere a small waxy solids. sample of a polyether ofhexafluoropropylene expoxide, Tetrafluoroethylene epoxide is prepared by subjecting non-volatile at 200 C. at a pressure of 0.05 z r2l1.

a mixture of oxygen and tetrafluoroethylene to irradiation Ultraviolet irrradiation was then performed for 32 hrs.

by ultraviolet light, preferably in the presence of small with a 7500 volt helical quartz mercury lamp containing a trace of argon. The lamp surrounded the tube contime an infrared spectrum indicated complete removal of acyl fluoride end groups, the product having the structure n and m being in the same range as z. The completely fluorinated polyether lost weight at the rate of 0.5% per hour at 445 C. in a stainless steel container under an atmosphere of air.

The novel compositions of the present invention have where m and n were on the average greater than 21.

Example II Into a quartz tube was place under nitrogen 28.6 g. of 2-perfluoropropoxyperfiuoropropionyl fluoride, formed by the dimerization of hexafluoropropylene epoxide. The material was irradiated for 7 days with the lamp described outstanding thermal stability combined with high chemical corrosion resistance. They find utility as solvents, lubrieating oils and greases, heat transfer media and dielectric media.

I claim: 1. A novel fluorocarbon polyether consisting essential 1y of the structure v in the foregoing example, as the source of ultraviolet radiation placed around the tube containing the sample.

wherein n and m are positive integers of at least 2.

2. A novel fluorocarbon polyether having the structure Distillation of the product resulted in 65% yield of 2,3-bis(heptafluoropropoxy)-octafluorobutane, B.P. 130- 131 C., as characterized by infrared spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance and combustion analysis for carbon, hydrogen and fluorine.

Example III A 6.75 g. sample of a polytetrafluoroethylene oxide oil having the structure 0 CF3-CFzOCFgCF O GEE-0% a boiling point in the range of 1382l7 C. at 1.5 mm. was irradiated with the ultraviolet light source described in Example I for 90 hours at room temperature. At this wherein n and m are positive integers from 2 to 35.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,500,388 3/50 Simons 260-615 2,967,810 1/61 Harris 204-158 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,229,090 3/ 60 France.

OTHER REFERENCES Francis et al.: Chemical Society (London), 1955, pp. 2151-2157. p

WILLIAM H. SHORT, Primary Examiner.

L. W. BURNSTEIN, LEON J. BERCOVITZ, Examiners.

TED STATES PATENT OFFlCE CE TlFlC'lE GE CURECTION Patent Noe 3,214,478 October 26, 1 965 Alwin S G Milian, Jr;

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, -lines 10 to 14, the formula should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

P-CP

CF -c F (31 5 2 2 4,

column 4, claims 1 and 2, for the right-hand portion of each formula reading Signed and sealed this 5th day of July 19660 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J0 BRENNER ERNEST W, SWIDER Commissioner of Patents- Attes-ting Officer UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,214,4 8 October 26, 1965 Alwin Sr Milian, Jra

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, lines 10 to 14, the formula should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

CF C F CF column 4, claims 1 and 2, for the right-hand portion of each formula reading Signed and sealed this 5th day of July 1966.

:SEAL) \ttest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD Jo BRENNER .ttesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A NOVEL FLUOROCARBON POLYETHER CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF THE STRUCTURE 